Life and career

Patrice Martinez was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. As a child, she performed in a local theater. She started her screen career as a teenager, working as an extra in the film Convoy, directed by Sam Peckinpah. After high school, when she was eighteen, she moved from Albuquerque to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. She returned to the United States, and soon moved to Los Angeles, California, where she gained her first film experience in A Walk On The Moon. She appeared in ¡Three Amigos! in 1986, and later was offered a role in Magnum, P.I. as Linda Lee Ellison with Tom Selleck. After that, she appeared in other TV series, including Miami Vice and Zorro, and also appeared in Beetlejuice, The Effects of Magic, and Vital Signs.

Patrice is the sister of Benito Martinez and the daughter of Margarita Martinez-Cannon. She also has a sister, Benita, who looks like her but is two years younger. Benita was also cast in Three Amigos.

Patrice Martinez was married to producer-director Daniel Camhi for several years, and was credited as "Patrice Camhi" in the first two seasons of Zorro. Martinez and Camhi divorced, so she appeared as Patrice Martinez from Season Three on.

Awards

• The Sir Emile Littler Award (at RADA) for "Outstanding Talent"
• The Flora Robson Award (at RADA) for the "Best Talent from Overseas"
• The Edmund Gray Memorial Award (at RADA) for "Best Performance in a Restoration Company"
• The Dame Edith Evans Memorial Award (at RADA) for "Excellence in Speaking Poetry"
• The Lord Lurgan's Ivar Novello Award (at RADA) for her "Grace and Charm in Movement"
• The Margo Albert Golden Eagle Award (1987) for "Most Promising Actress"
• The SAG/AFTRA Award for "Achievements in the Entertainment Industry"

[ Source: Wikipedia ]